The Tribune

By Michelle M. Miller

With all of this talk about VAT as a form of taxation, I believe that the real VAT lies in our capacity to engage in Value Added Thinking. Many are convinced that if their money is devalued they will surely die or at best lose themselves. Money however is replaceable.

If your thinking is devalued and you cannot maximize your potential, I believe that is a greater human tragedy.

Those who understand the power of positive thinking know that a devalued thinking process is a major barrier to personal power, purpose and life success. A great writer once said: “All problems in the world originate in our thinking”, which marries well with the adage “as a man thinketh so is he”.

The quality of your thinking is the most critical component of your development. Thinking skills however, are in short supply and demand. Most people are much more concerned about their money matters; becoming enthralled in fear at the sheer thought of Value Added Tax.

This reaction in itself is the lack of value added thinking. Too many people are overwhelmed and under informed; which is ironic in a small society saddled with a proliferation of media houses. Quantity and quality, of course is another matter.

What is even more concerning is the vast number of people that take no responsibility for their thinking faculties.

We are the deliberate creations of God with inherent dominion, but there are universal laws which we are to live by. The first of which is the law of order. As such, having dominion means having authority and order over your mind and your thinking.

Fundamentally, we function as thinking beings, with the capacity to learn how to think. Since thinking is your birthright, you are responsible for how and what you think. Unfortunately, most people are only taught what to think – not how to think. Thus, they think with little, aimlessly giving unlimited access to whosever may as their information source. If we were to be honest, the truth is most of the current serving of media leaves much to be desired.

Consequently, you must be discriminate in your choosing. You are personally liable for your thinking progress. Clearly, it is impossible to remain at an infantile level of thinking and experience a life of greatness. Greatness in itself is the result of great, consistent and positive thinking.

To understand the quality of one’s thinking, look around at the outcome. Misery, problems, sickness and social dysfunction are all results. Thinking that adds value promotes positivity while thinking that devalues promotes negativity.

What does your present outcome say about the quality of your thinking?

Many agree that social disintegration is a multifaceted phenomenon. However, essential to an improved social landscape is the need for an improved thinking pattern. Behavior is the result not the cause. People behave according to the thoughts cultivated in their mind.

Until your thinking pattern changes, your behaviour cannot change. The challenge is being motivated to change. Without motivation, nothing happens. As thinking beings, we need words that uplift, motivate and inspire us forward.

The prevalence of low quality language and attitudes, leave many incarcerated by a negative thinking pattern. So much so, they sincerely believe they are not responsible for their own minds.

Yet, you alone are the gatekeeper of your mind. You are the guard selecting who or what will be accepted or rejected into your mind. Assess the current social climate and you can tell the prevailing thinking quality.

Recognize that every thought is productive. You cannot spend the bulk of your energy engaging in devalued, negative thinking and expect to produce a highly valued, positive life.

Value Added Thinking is a mindset. It is about being deliberate in what you pay attention to and discriminately selecting where you invest your energy. Focus on adding positive value or gaining positive value.

As creations of God, we are not born as negative thinkers. Positivity is our natural state. Unfortunately, many of us are born into negative households and or live in negative environments to which we become susceptible to the negative thoughts and attitudes we observe.

However, while we may have no control over our childhood challenges, once we become of age, we must put away childish things. One of the greatest childish things to free yourself from is the notion of blame. Blame by nature is a debilitating energy, which mixes well with its sibling who we know as complaining. Together they produce a profusely negative cocktail.

When the mixture of blaming and complaining penetrates the mind on a consistent basis, personal dissatisfaction and social decay prevails.

Rest assured these are not the tenets of Value Added Thinking. When value is added, thinking patterns elevate and behaviour improves.

Do not let yourself be defeated by the problems you face. You are the thinker. Within you lies the most powerful tool known to man, the power of your mind and your capacity to think. But, your mind can only act on the quality of thinking you engage.

When you improve your thinking skills, you level the playing field and break down every perceived barrier. You build confidence as a Value Added Thinker.

This means that you have the power to change your life, by changing your thoughts. It begins with you believing in yourself by placing high value on your mind.

As you make today the day that you take the lead, re-evaluate your thinking pattern and make a concerted effort to engage in Value Added Thinking.

Now is the perfect time to shift your life paradigm.

Your feedback has great value; please write to coaching242@yahoo.com or text 429-6770. Michelle M. Miller is a certified Life-Coach, Leadership Expert, and Host of the Radio program – Men & The e-Factor. www.taketheleadbook.com